Need advise about an extension ladder

[Hundojoe]

I need to buy an extension ladder in the 24 to 28 foot range, the problem is I don't know if I should buy aluminum or fiberglass, outside of the weight difference between the two, what's the pro's and con's of each?

 

[METALMOVER]

I believe the fiberglass ones are used when working on electricity and are rather pricey. Goodluck METALMOVER

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

You've got to be an ox to handle a 28' fiberglass ladder. It's one thing to move it collapsed and another moving it to an upright position and then adjusting it.

 

[OccupantRJ]

You've got to be an ox to handle a 28' fiberglass ladder. It's one thing to move it collapsed and another moving it to an upright position and then adjusting it.

For sure. I have a fiberglass 24' I bought at auction for $50, and dread having to use it. I am considering a lighter aluminum one for my use around the house, as I use one at work and it is much easier to move and set up. The fiberglass does feel more solid when on it though.

 

[Bookworm]

I purchased a 28 foot aluminum extension ladder, off Craigslist ($75). I don't know how much it weighs, but I can tell you it's all I want (and sometimes more), especially when moving it extended. There are times I need to collapse it to re-position.
I have even considered building a 2-wheel dollie to strap to one end to drag it around the property when collapsed. I guess I'm not as young as I was.
I cannot imagine a maneuvering a fiberglass ladder of that length, they are much heavier.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

I need to buy an extension ladder in the 24 to 28 foot range, the problem is I don't know if I should buy aluminum or fiberglass, outside of the weight difference between the two, what's the pro's and con's of each?

If you are not going to be working around electrical conductors then go aluminum, they last forever and are MUCH lighter. The fiberglass units are a lot heavier and degrade from the UV rays if left outside year after year. jmo

 

[Leyland]

I prefer aluminum over fibreglass, mostly due to weight. but must be the better quality "contractor grade" aluminum ladders. The cheap home quality ones flex way too much for my liking. It's worth the extra money, you'll have it for many years and will be glad you paid the extra every time you use it.

 

[kbs2244]

Aluminum is lighter but fiberglass is stiffer.
I had a 32 foot AL but when I drove over it (A really dumb move) I replaced it with an ornage one.
When extended, the AL had bow in it and swayed from side to side as you went up.
The orange one dosn't do that.
I had tht AL one over 30 years but I am not sad to see it gone.
Parts of it live on at the end of my sons peir.

 

[brownbagg]

30 ft extension ladder, im not going up it

 

[Architorture]

if you think you will often have it fully extended either get a bigger ladder or a fiberglass one. I hate going up my fully extended 28' aluminum ladders and will usually get out the 32' fiberglass if I need to get to such a height.

Aluminum is nice and light but a little scary at full extension

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

IIRC there isn't a whole lot of difference between grade 1 aluminum and fiberglass, in weight or stiffness. I have both in 24ft length. I had a 36 ft grade 1 aluminum and turned it into planks because it was so heavy. The grade 1 aluminum have a box beam compared to the grade 2 I-beam.

Richard

 

[big.jim]

i use ally and a 1000 volt insulated mat if im near electric , fibreglass is soooo expensive and fragile

 

[tyjoja]

fiberglass every time. the metals are so flimsy and unsafe. Look for a used one on craigslist. And you want a heavy ladder so it won't get flimsy when your up near the top working. And you never carry a ladder when it's extended. I'm a cable guy and we use 28' fiber all day everyday, and their rated for 350 lb's. It's all about balance point and keeping them in that balance when you carry. You carry from the side with the solid side (the part that doesn't move) in your strong arm, and the rail on your shoulder, and you other hand steadying. Never drop it horizontal unless going under some thing low. Normally carry at about a 30 to 45 degree angle. If it feels top heavy, slide your hand and shoulder up the rail one rung. Practice a little, once you find that balance point, you won't have to worry about ladders again.

 

[Jackfre]

When I was 16 on one of my first pipe jobs The aluminum ladder, which was standing in water, got pushed, by a meathead, into a large coal hoist. It was 408? 3-phase, shorted to my ladder and I almost got cooked. 50 yrs later I have not owned an aluminum ladder. Yes they are easier to handle but I use fiberglass.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I have a 20ft Werner fiberglass extension ladder, and indeed, it is heavy. I was an electrician by trade, so I bought it without thinking I'd likely never use it around wires anyway. But it's solid and I can still carry it without too much difficulty. Had to get a 300lb capacity, as I'm generally 250 myself. Won't use it as much in the new house as I no longer have a second story.

 

[James E]

Unless you're an electrician, I recommend aluminum. A fiberglass extension ladder that length will be a real beyotch to manhandle around.

I've got a 32' aluminum and it's sturdy, but almost more than I can handle myself. If it were fiberglass, not only would I need help setting it up but it would cave in the roof of my pickup when I hauled it around.

One of the reasons I'm anxiously awaiting the next breakthrough in carbon-fiber manufacturing is that when they get it cheap to manufacture, carbon fiber will revolutionize the ladder industry. Imagine a 40' carbon-fiber ladder--it will be solid as a rock at full extension and weigh about fifty pounds.

 

[jmarkwolf]

I bought an orange 32ft fiberglass extension ladder 21 years ago, and it is heavy as people have mentioned. But I am sometimes as much as 250lbs and want the safety margin.

But it's sturdy and stiff, and I've developed "technique" for handling it.

Don't need it often, but it's the shortest length that will reach the peak lights on my house.

It's always been stored inside, hanging on four wall brackets.

 

[big.jim]

my ally doesnt flex with me on it and im 245 lb but i dont buy domestic

 

[countryroad82]

I hate aluminum ladders even the heavy contractor grade 40' we have at work. Even me at 180lbs. it flexes too much for me.

 

[Architorture]

I guess maybe I'm still too young but a 32' fiberglass ladder is not that bad weight wise for one guy to handle...hell I used to even haul it around in my jeep liberty...one end on the dash and the other 7.5' hanging out the back window.

 

[BFHtime]

I did not read all the posts but did quickly scan.

I did not notice anyone mention the type rating of the ladder. A type I or type IA will be more rigid less bouncy than the the lower rated ladders. The lower rated ladders are also cheaper. You may want to consider what you want the ladder for. If you are just going to clean the gutters then a cheaper one may be ok. Your weight is a factor. Tools you may be carrying. Material like a bundle of shingles or sheet of plywood on a windy day. Windy day with the sheet makes the ladder sway. Also staging attached to the ladder. The longer the ladder the more it will sway. The middle of the ladder will usually sway the as it would be furthest from the fixed ends of the ladder. An extension ladder that is fully extended sways or bounces more than when parts of the ladder are overlapped more.

I prefer the highest rated ladders for the reasons above, but it is your choice. A good ladder is not cheap. Plus a big ladder can be a pain to move if you do not have a rack on your vehicle.


I hope that helps. Good luck.

 

[56vette461]

Lets see if I follow this. Your going to put your body, no matter it's age, up to 28 feet in the air doing what ever it is you need to do.

Question is,

Do you worry about the strength and stability of the ladder the entire time your hanging your xxxx out on this limb?

Or, do you have a good strong, safe ladder that lets you do the jobs you need to do to the best of your talents.

At 68 years old and still hard headed enough to want to do my own work, I will climb my 350 lb rated 30ft fiberglass ladder and work comfortably. Now if I don't get really stupid and fall, then my wife still loves me. But if I screw up our next trip in the 5th wheel because I break something, MAIG. Fiberglass is strong, lasts forever if you take care of it, and you have a strong safe work platform. IMHO Most important is stay safe!!!